The Rockets expect to reunite with James Harden this offseason, sources tell Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
According to Pompey, the belief among executives across the NBA is that Harden will return to Houston. Sources tell The Inquirer that the 33-year-old’s interest in rejoining the Rockets is genuine and not a negotiating tactic to get a bigger contract out of the Sixers. Houston has the cap room necessary to offer him a maximum-salary deal.
Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta “loves” Harden, according to Pompey, who hears that coaching candidates during Houston’s search for Stephen Silas‘ replacement were asked during their interviews about their thoughts on coaching Harden.
For his part, the veteran guard still has family and business ventures in the city, where he spent eight-and-a-half years of his NBA career. He also visited Houston multiple times this past season when time permitted, says Pompey.
Very little from Pompey’s report is new information.
Word of a possible reunion between the Rockets and Harden first broke on Christmas Day and was corroborated a couple months later. Jake Fischer reported last week that Harden’s name came up frequently during the Rockets’ interviews of head coaching candidates, while Adrian Wojnarowski said the draft lottery outcome wouldn’t affect Houston’s level of interest in the former MVP. Earlier this week, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon and Zach Lowe agreed in a podcast that the Rockets “think he’s coming.”
Still, even if Pompey’s report isn’t surprising, it’s noteworthy to see a Philadelphia beat writer state in such strong terms that a return to Houston is the expected outcome for Harden.
The Rockets have been one of the NBA’s worst teams since trading Harden to Brooklyn in January 2021, but they’re motivated to turn things around in 2023/24 since they’ll send their ’24 first-round pick to Oklahoma City if it lands outside of the top four. Multiple reports have indicated that the organization wants to acquire veteran talent this summer.
Although Harden missed out on All-Star honors this year for the first time since 2012, he still posted strong numbers during the regular season, averaging 21.0 points, a league-leading 10.7 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game with a .441/.385/.867 shooting line in 58 appearances (36.8 MPG).
His playoff production was inconsistent — his overall averages of 20.3 PPG, 8.3 APG, and 6.2 RPG were solid, but he shot just 39.3% from the field during the postseason and averaged only 12.5 PPG in four losses to Boston in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
We still have nearly a month-and-a-half before free agency officially begins, so even if Harden declines his 2023/24 player option with the Sixers, as he reportedly will, things could change in the next six weeks.
Philadelphia will have the ability to offer him more money than the Rockets, though Houston can afford to be aggressive, with the ability to create approximately $60MM in cap space. Harden’s projected maximum salary will be $46.9MM.
Given that the Rockets have the cap room necessary to sign a Harden outright, they’d have little incentive to negotiate a sign-and-trade deal with Philadelphia. The 76ers, meanwhile, wouldn’t be in position to create meaningful cap room if Harden left in free agency, so they could be left in a tough spot in that scenario.
As Pompey notes, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey told reporters this week that the team’s priority is re-signing Harden.
“Scenario A would be to bring James back,” Morey said. “Scenario B, if he’s not back, we’ll have to get creative.”
He disappeared in the last two games for the Sixers.
His soul was already in Houston.
A Houston strip club*.
Just like his soul was already out of Houston during his last season there…
You’re not wrong.
Rockets need a leader to make playoffs
Harden is the leader
Smith, Green and 4th pick won’t be the qualified leaders next 7 years
You get it, don’t you
Rockets should trade the 4th pick to bring in some veterans to pair with Harden and Green.
Maybe you dangle #4 and young players to the Raptors in a deal for Anunoby and Siakam
Maybe #4, Washington, Eason or Smith, Cristopher for Anunoby and Siakam and # 13
Definitely think Raptors would love to add Amen Thompson.
My sixth sense
76ers 70% chance to sign Harden
Rockets 30% chance
76ers replace a player with $15mm salary for Harris
Harden has never been a leader and can never be one
You don’t, do you…
The Rockets absolutely fleeced the Nets when they traded Harden away getting all the future draft picks now he is back and you still have the picks amazing by the organization. Lots of recency bias is coming with harden yeah he had a bad game 7. But is still a allstar and can still lead the young core to take the next steps into contending.
No he can’t lead them into contending, he hasn’t done that on other more experienced and talented team. I will agree with you though that the Rockets pull off a coup by getting picks and now look likely to get the guy back. Makes me wonder if there was a nudge and a wink between Harden and the Rockets as they needed a couple more drafts to build a better squad.
That said, it is still baffling to me why Houston would want James back right now. He doesn’t fit their timeline at all, and even if he stays healthy next season, the Rockets will be a fringe playoff team at best unless more big moves happen.
People said the same thing about Sacramento when they traded for Sabonis, people were saying they were a fringe playoff team and all the sudden they’re 3rd in the west
Yeah, and they were saying the same thing about Westbrook…4 or 5 times before he actually stowed the me-first approach and helped the Clips.
Maybe Harden is closer to Westbrook’s mindset than that of Sabonis.
That’s a bad comparison. Sabinos was an up and coming 25 yo who showed consistent improvement for 3 successive seasons. He was a budding star who was earning less than $20 mil per season. Harden is in his 30’s and while still a good assist guy has regressed in terms of his scoring ability, durability and piano conditioning. Plus he’s forced himself out of Houston and Philly and got Doc Rivers fired. He can easily be a negative locker room vet on a very young and impressionable team with guys like Porter Jr and Green who are guards that need playing time.
Yeah, but that’s the difference between fringe playoff team with an actual All-Star caliber player to pair with said new star and a deep roster versus a rebuilding project. The Rockets still have no identity whatsoever.
This is pretty much my thoughts on the whole deal. If it was him on his down swing and more of a mentor role and for nostalgia fine, but the max or near max on a young roster doesn’t make much sense. I feel like without looking at the list of free agents there’s someone younger they could take a swing at similar to a Harrison Barnes situation when GSW one their first championship.
He had 3 awful games in the series not just game7. Yes he had two very good ones as well but the feast or famine results he gave them is a big reason they lost the series.
Why are people even trying to defend James Harden at this point??
It isn’t like him disappearing when the lights shine the brightest is anything new??
This literally has happened EVERY TIME he’s been on a contending team…Maybe not in OKC idk, but definitely afterwards…
People say, we’ll he averaged this many points, or this many assists during this series, but they’re a bunch of empty stats that led to nothing.
Repeatedly over and over again, he has miserably flopped when looked upon to help lead his team on the biggest stages.
Philadelphia will be much better off without him, and relocating that money elsewhere. You simply cannot count on Harden when you need him the most.
Regular season, yeah, he can be great put up alot of stats, and he can help then position themselves atop the East, but he’s repeatedly gone cold, made poor decisions, played pitiful defense, and turned the ball over way too many times..
That isn’t a coincidence, and I don’t see any reason why he’d all of a sudden not choke in the spotlight as he gets past his prime..
Let Houston take him, and pay him his max deal. I mean, they won’t have any real expectations anyways, so that’ll be perfect for Harden.
Heat decimated him in the 2012 finals, when he was with okc
The problem is that the 76ers won’t be able to use that money elsewhere. If they don’t use that money to resign him it disappears or most of it. That is why Morey is saying it is important they resign him or get creative. The creative part he hopes is a sign and trade so they keep that money slot.
Golden State is in a similar situation with Green I believe. If Green does not pick up his player option GSW will lose that money slot. They won’t be able to go out and sign a $30 million because does not pick up his option.
Houston is in a very good position, but they can throw it away by giving Harden a multiyear close-to-max deal, which is probably what he is looking for.
Seems like a waste of salary cap. Why not package some players like Eason, Tate, Martin, and attempt to get someone atleast in the 27-29 range?
Then Kevin Porter, and Jalen Green are also splitting up minutes with Harden, rather than using those minutes to develop the core of youth.
Not to mention they still need some sort of defensive F/C, or C. They have the PF’s, but lack slightly longer, and larger defensive front court players.
I’d consider trading Sengun for Ayton possibly? I’d even prefer Kyrie Irving at what his salary projects to be over Harden, and what Harden is reportedly seeking.
Lots of rumor, and speculation. Tough to guage what’s likely, who Houston likes long term, and what they value in their current stock
They have too many guards, and too many 4s, in my opinion. Take a couple of those guys and try to turn that into a true song or 2, and I think they still have a lot of talent. Very curious to see what happens s with Garuda moving forward, as he, Eason, Martin have a lot of similarities
*true wing lol
Yeah, they do. Tate, Martin, Eason are good players, but they need to consolidate a little, and be somewhat diligent with their cap next season. Then there’s Nix, and Christopher. Derozan isn’t a bad choice for Houston either if they pass on Harden
There is a sign & trade out there, or some other trade that the Rockets can significantly improve that roster. I am confident. They have a coach, just need to give him the tools.
I don’t really understand this…they dont need guards, and they definitely dont need more guys that need the ball in their hands, especially not someone who is the ultimate ball stopper…
They just need 3 and D wing help, and a coach that can figure out what his best combinations actually are, on a team with a lot of deep talent, but multiple guys at a couple of positions that have some redundancies there
Like, Jaylen Brown, or Khris Middleton, is the type of guy to make sense for them if shooting for a star, but I really think they could just develop what they have with 1 or 2 additions, and just improved usage of who they already have
Harden has played well as a 76er during the season, but I feel like the offense moves too slow through him which really hurts Maxey – who is being underutilized. Right b4 the Harden trade, Maxey & Embiid were really jelling. When Harden walks, 76ers should move Maxey back to the point and play faster.
This has all the makings of a tampering investigation
Exactly! This rumor has been going on since January.
Strangest fit between a player and team I’ve seen in a while. Simply put, if the Rockets do bring back Harden, you can assume they aren’t serious about winning, now or in the future.
They aren’t and never were.
I say this without a shred of irony… I have been told he’s literally signing with the Rockets because his favorite strip club is in Houston. This is also why he “visited Houston” when he had time off…. I wish I was kidding writing this…. I’m 100% serious
I’m not surprised, the dude is like 35 and hangs out in strip clubs all day. Loser.
It’s so weird that any team would give him a contract even remotely close to what he wants. If he were a champion, maybe it makes sense. But he’s flamed out so much and older that its so cringeworthy. It’s like a partner taking back a toxic ex. Have fun lol.
Harden lives in the strip clubs. It’s why he has NO legs left. It’s true he has business ventures. So makes sense to get back on Houston’s good graces. So he can have a lucrative retirement. It’s a smart move.
Never been a Harden guy. Imo Moreyon is taking the Sixers down by catering to James. It’s like he owes him for his career. Harden isn’t worth 25 mill. And I wouldn’t want him around young talent. Can’t believe Billionaires are such FOOLS. When it comes to the business of the NBA. Philly should throw a blocks party (all blocks). The day he walks. I just can’t believe Moreyon is still there……
Harden and Kyrie in Houston. They played well together under Udoka
@Kurtis Blow not going to happen. Harden left the Nets because of Kyrie’s antics. He doesn’t want anything to do with him
True, but that was then when he wanted to win. He ain’t going to Houston to win, he’s going to get paid.
3 people who have trouble remaining loyal…
Yeah that’ll last 3 games…
I mean if they wanna max him… be my guest if I’m the Sixers… Is what it is.
That decision, may prompt the Sixers to at least listen to offers on Embiid.
Portland? #3 Overall, Simons, Nurkic, 3 additional 1sts.
Sixers go with Scoot, Maxey, Simons, Tobias, and Nurkic? Probably move Tobias as well at the deadline.
Who knows. All I know is that a strippers of Houston are getting hyped.
What a rough offseason for Rockets fans…
If Harden is back we are gone. May watch the Spurs with Wemby if he does return. I am sorry but Harden wanted out. I do not care how much Fertitta loves him. Let him stay with Philly. But this is not good at all. I do not care if have the money for him
Love it
Knicks will help out Philly …..
We’ll take Tobias. He’s from Long Island NY, just outside of Queens NY. Hopefully it will light a fire under his ares.
Quickley, Rose, Fournier, #1 pick.
Sixers probably hang up.
Not at all. IQ and a #1 alone is worth it, not to mention the expiring contracts. Rose can be bought out and Fournier dropped after next year.
That’s not a bad offer, however I would hope McBride can step it up.
Only way I’d be happy with signing Harden is if he accepts a 25m/30m(ish) declining contract. But he 100% would never do that.
Yeah it’s not like anything has to be traded to get him and cap needs to be spent but anywhere near what it’s cripples the team going forward.
I’d rather put up with a bad team another year/two and draft Amen at #4 than ever giving all the money over the next 5 years for Harden to put every stripper in the city through college.
Makes no sense. Houston just needs to rebuild the right way.
I suspect that if the Rockets sign Harden, that there are going to be trades following that to bolster the roster with more veterans. Jalen Brown anyone?
At what point are the Rockets tampering? This seems more egregious than anything the Sixers did last year.
I’d rather have Draymond Green. Harden isn’t a team guy. Game 6 v Spurs. We know who he is. No thank you. Even the Kardashians (beginning of the end) dumped him. What do they know that Fertita doesn’t?
Truth is Sixers can’t let Harden just walk. Best thing is to sign-n-trade him. But seriously why would you trade for Harden at that price. Can these owners be that Stupid.
Harden opted out of 47.4 mill. And signed 2yr deal with Sixers. He took less money so Sixers could sign his guy PJ Tucker. Now Harden has opted out of 1yr 35.6 mill next yr.
He now wants to get paid, so the rumor goes (3-4 yr contract). Rockets can just flat out sign him. He is eligible for a 210 mill 4yr max that Sixers can offer. All other teams can max him out at 201 mill. It is said he will take less. For the security of 3-4 yr deal.
Why would anyone pay this man, this player big money. Especially if you are the Rockets. With a core of 20-22 yr old impressionable kids. It would be a disaster ……
So who out there. Which team has the cap space. That would want to offer him big money. He may end up with Sixers by default. And then pray you can trade him by TD.
If it was 4/100M no issues with that. But other teams have set a bad precident giving old AF players 30M or more a year. Lowry and CP3 deals look terrible. Yes Lowry showed up for a game or two in the playoffs, but it’s like paying PJ Tucker 30M.
Thinking about this more, the only real path is to trade Tobias, and pick up 5 to 10M while doing so. Ideally, you need to bring in someone that can be a 1A with championship experience to get the team and Joel over the hump.
LeBron going to the Heat, D Wade knowing what it takes to win was huge.
Is that guy out there tho? They have the 29 1st and swaps as the only available assets.
Pascal could be that fit, but they don’t have the assets. DeRozan and Bojan/Burks have never won anything. The Kyrie talk is coo coo. Kawhi is a no go.
Draymond could be that guy but him and PJ Tucker is a black hole offensively, but that could be the way to go if they figured out how to surround the rest of the team with shooters. Klay wont be available but his shooting would be more than ideal.
Should have kept Isaiah joe on the wing, but nobody wanted to listen…
If they lose Harden, maybe the sixers would want Poole?
Subtraction by addition! That’s something new.
Keith Pompey is no more reliable a source than the average sixers fan. I say there’s just a good chance he stays or ends up somewhere else entirely.